Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor said since investigators determined the fire had more than one origin, it was considered arson.

The bodies of three victims were recovered shortly before noon Thursday. The identities, gender and cause of the death of the victims could not be determined.

Taylor said autopsies are scheduled to be performed today.

“We are going to hold the scene. There is a lot of evidence,” Taylor said.

“This remains an active arson investigation. There is a lot of rubble to go through. We’ll keep going until we find all the evidence.”

A Colorado Bureau of Investigation arson investigator and the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office were retrieving evidence from the scene on Colorado 165.

A 6-mile stretch of Colorado 165 highway near the home was closed for much of the day as investigators worked the scene.

Taylor said the fire sparked up about 3 a.m. Thursday, but firefighters were able to contain it.

Investigators are still interested in speaking with Harry Mapps, a 59-year-old man who was a known previous occupant of the house.

Mapps is described as 6-foot tall, 135 pounds, with red hair and blue eyes. He may have a graying beard and was last known to drive a blue 2004 Chrysler Town and Country van with either Texas or Colorado plates.

Taylor said photos recovered from the scene show Mapps’ van may have Colorado plate 591SBL on in place of the Texas plate 7-FSNK that is registered to the vehicle. Mapps may also take advantage of services offered to veterans or homeless wherever he is staying.

“He was actually an employee of the family living in the home,” Taylor said.

“He had ties to the home and he is not accounted for. We are trying to find everybody that was associated with that home to help us identify not only the deceased but also a timeline.”